The dawn filtered through the window of the small house, tinting the austere walls orange. Cael woke up early, not because sleep had abandoned him, but because he knew that time was a far more valuable resource than any coin in this world. Every wasted second was a lost opportunity, and in a world where opportunities equaled power, he couldn't afford to relax.
Cael wasn't a destined protagonist or a hero written into the pages of history. In the novel he had read, his name didn't even exist; he was an absent ghost. But that made him a dangerous and valuable anomaly: a player with access to the map of all the opportunities that heroes, allies, and villains would discover through effort or chance in the future. He wasn't going to leave anything to chance; everything he could claim before the academy started would be his, even if it meant stealing key pieces of others' destinies.
The plan was simple but ambitious: six months to accumulate enough to survive what was coming. High-rank treasures, elixirs that would accelerate his growth, abilities that would become other people's secret weapons, a soul-bound object capable of achieving the impossible, and, best of all, the bloodline that the protagonist's rival would acquire in the future. Cael knew the location of all of it because he had read it, and although the novel didn't mention it, he knew it existed. These were treasures hidden in the folds of the narrative, details the author had tossed out as mere decoration, but in the reality of this world, they held incalculable value.
While others still dreamed of a glorious future at the academy, he would move in silence, taking every piece of power before anyone else could claim it. It wasn't pure ambition—though he couldn't deny the satisfaction of imagining the faces of those who would be left with nothing—but survival. The fate of this world was stained by wars, betrayals, and divine monstrosities; if Cael wanted to withstand the coming maelstrom, he needed more than luck.
With a cup of coffee in hand, he leaned against the kitchen counter. The steam brushed his face as he swiped his finger across his phone screen.
"Alright…" he murmured, checking the list of bookmarks he had memorized. "The first one is three hours from here, hidden in a ruined temple. No one will find it for another two years… except me."
He took a long sip of coffee, letting the bitter warmth clear the last fog of sleep.
"Alright…" he murmured again, setting the cup on the counter and swiping through his phone. "Last night before bed, I checked a few things…"
His amber eyes narrowed as they landed on a particular name.
"'Beard & Hammers – Rod's Shop'… right now it's a ruin, almost no one buys anything there, but in the future…" A half-smirk appeared on his face. "That old dwarf is going to become a great craftsman. The novel barely mentioned him, like he was just an extra, but his growth ended up being key for the warriors and mages who needed quality gear."
He crossed his arms, thoughtful.
"If I play this right over these six months and leave a good impression on him, I might get more than just discounts… I could secure top-tier gear at a laughable price while everyone else is still stuck with rusty weapons."
He moved on to the next note on his phone.
"And then there's 'Herbal Lotus'… a tiny elven shop barely staying afloat. You don't need to know much about fantasy to figure elves make the best potions, right?" He paused, raising an eyebrow. "Or at least, I want to believe that… honestly, I don't even remember where the protagonist bought his potions in the novel…"
He clicked his tongue, amused.
"Eh, doesn't matter. If the elves aren't good, I'll find out fast. And if they are… at least I'll already know where to get potions before anyone else."
Or so he would like to say, but most likely all his future academy classmates already knew all this, at least the basic common sense about the world better than he did. How could he, a reincarnated soul from just a week ago, know the economy of this world? He wished he had a guide on where to buy quality goods at good prices.
Cael set his phone on the counter and rubbed his temples, muttering to himself.
"Alright… plans ready for today," he whispered with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "First, light armor. I need something that protects without limiting movement. Strong gloves… don't want my hands destroyed after a few training sessions or a bad encounter."
He licked his lips and continued mentally enumerating each piece.
"Belt… yes, one that holds several potion bottles. Don't want to carry everything in my bag while running from a mana beast or… whatever crosses my path. And speaking of a bag… I need a comfortable pack, something that doesn't get in the way, that I can use while running and moving fast."
He leaned against the wall for a moment, taking another sip of coffee and surveying the city outside the window.
"And then… Herbal Lotus. Vitality potions, in case I get hurt. I can't risk improvising in the middle of a disaster," he muttered, clenching his fists slightly. "All of this… all of this has to be ready before the academy starts. I can't fail."
He paused in silence, listening to the rising steam from his coffee, his amber eyes gleaming with determination.
A few minutes later, Cael stepped out of the taxi, stretching as his amber eyes scanned the city.
"Wow…" he murmured in surprise, almost forgetting to keep his voice low. "This really is a contrast."
In front of him, a relic of another era, stood "Beard & Hammers." The shop looked like it was about to crumble, with peeling paint and a rusty bell hanging from the door. A stark contrast to the floating buildings, patrolling drones, and clean streets of the futuristic city surrounding it.
He took a deep breath and walked with long, deliberate steps toward the door.
"Time to start," he muttered, placing his hand on the rough wood. "Let's see if this old dwarf really knows what he's doing."
With a firm push, he opened the door and crossed the threshold, ready to enter the workshop that, though run-down, could be his first piece on the power board he was building.
The workshop was full of unfinished pieces, tools hanging everywhere, and the metallic sound of a hammer striking an anvil in the back.
"Good morning," Cael greeted with a light smile, taking a couple of steps toward the counter.
Behind it, Rod, a dwarf with a tired face and wrinkles marked by years of hard work, looked up. His eyes showed kindness, but his furrowed brow and slight scowl indicated he was used to difficult customers.
"Morning, kid. What brings you here?" Rod said, stopping his hammering and leaning on the counter.
Cael stepped closer, confident.
"I want your best light armor, sturdy gloves, a belt for my potions, and…" he paused with a playful grin, "maybe a special discount."
Rod raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.
"A special discount, huh?" he grunted with a hint of amusement. "Think this is a game?"
Cael raised his hands, stepping back and smiling sincerely.
"Relax, I was joking… don't kick me out of your workshop."
Rod snorted but couldn't hide a slight smile as he leaned forward a little.
"Kid, if you want something here, you'll have to earn it, not beg. But I like your boldness. Let's see what we can do…"
Cael leaned casually against a nearby bench, observing the workshop with interest. His mischievous smile stayed, but measured; he knew the first impression was made, and with a little cunning, he'd get what he needed.
Rod disappeared among the clutter and returned minutes later carrying several pieces of equipment. First, a deep black light armor.
"This is made from the hide of a mana beast that used the wind attribute," Rod explained as he placed it on the counter. "Very light, perfect for… let's say, a thief."
Cael raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
"A thief, huh? Well, I don't plan on stealing… at least not yet."
Rod ignored the comment and pulled out a pair of finely crafted leather gloves. They were black, with a noble design and thin red vein-like lines meant only to enhance the aesthetic. They gleamed slightly under the dim workshop light.
"Fashion gloves?" Cael joked, picking one up and twirling it. "What about durability? I don't want them tearing in the first fight."
"Durability…" Rod interrupted, crossing his arms proudly. "These aren't just pretty gloves. One of my masterpieces. Made from the hide of an A-rank beast. Believe me, not much can tear them."
Then Rod showed a simple, practical belt, with rings to hold potion bottles and tools.
"Meets your requirements. Nothing spectacular, but functional."
Finally, he held up a compact travel bag, with adjustable straps and a design that fit perfectly on the back.
"This will carry everything you need while running from a mana beast or… whatever else chases you."
Cael nodded, examining each piece carefully with a mix of amusement and approval. Everything fit perfectly with his plans; it wasn't just equipment, it was his first tangible strategic advantage in this world.
"Alright…" he murmured, letting out a satisfied sigh. "This is exactly what I needed."
Cael paid the large sum with a few taps on his phone, nearly bankrupting himself. Then he quickly stopped by a small grocery store and bought dried meat and a few bottles of water for the journey. Another taxi took him to "Herbal Lotus," the elven shop he hoped would offer reliable vitality potions.
Cael pushed open the door, immediately hit by the sharp scent of herbs and medicine. His amber eyes scanned the interior with a mix of fascination and caution. Among jars, dried plants, and bubbling cauldrons, elves of both genders moved gracefully, attending customers or checking products.
One of them caught his attention: a tall, elegant female elf, her long ears framing a face of artistic precision. Stunningly beautiful, but… otherwise ordinary. Nothing immediately different from humans.
"Yes… I've only been in this world a week," Cael thought, adjusting the backpack on his shoulders, "and besides the futuristic tech, the floating system, and everything else, this is the first thing that really qualifies as 'fantasy.' Damn, who hasn't dreamed of seeing a real elf? And surprisingly, aside from the exaggerated beauty and long ears… nothing sets them apart from us."
He approached the counter where she stood.
"If I can choose," he muttered sarcastically to himself, "I want my first direct interaction with a magical or fantastical being to be with a woman. Right? Right??"
His thumb nervously tapped his phone, calculating how many potions he could buy with the meager funds left for his journey and potential dangerous encounters.
The elf behind the counter smiled politely as she listened. Her long ears twitched subtly, and her eyes shone with a mix of curiosity and professionalism.
"Six vitality potions," Cael said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the heart-pounding cost.
"Of course, young man," she replied, retrieving the small bottles from a carefully organized shelf. "Would you like them packaged for travel?"
"Yes, thank you," Cael murmured, handing over his phone for payment. The screen displayed the exact total, and in an instant, his balance dropped to nearly zero.
Receiving the carefully wrapped potions, Cael couldn't help but think about how tight his resources were. Officially bankrupt, with just enough funds to reach his first destination. But with the vitality potions in hand and his newly acquired gear, he felt he had taken the right first step on the path to survival and power.
Cael stepped out of Herbal Lotus, holding the six vitality potions. He paused, and with all the theatrics he could muster, traced a finger along his cheek as if a tear had fallen, exaggerating the gesture.
"Oh, the tragedy…" he murmured dramatically. "Rich in treasures, poor in coins!"
He laughed, letting out a small, fake sigh of despair.
"Ha… yes, only a week in this world and I'm officially a luxury beggar. Bravo, Cael!" he added, shrugging. "At least these potions are mine… no one can say I won't survive thanks to them!"
With laughter escaping between his teeth, he carefully secured the potions, ready to continue his journey to the first destination, keeping his wit and sense of humor intact.